Summary
EDGE Group is hiring a Senior Project Manager in Abu Dhabi to lead strategic space programs and sovereign capability development initiatives. The role covers end-to-end program delivery, planning, governance, budgets, risks, customer engagement, and coordination across engineering, suppliers, government stakeholders, and partners. Candidates need at least 8 years of experience managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, or space programs, along with strong systems engineering and stakeholder management expertise. A project management certification such as PMP is preferred; family visas may be included depending on role and seniority.
The posting
As published on edgegroup.ae. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
ABOUT EDGE
At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.
Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.
Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.
Together, we are shaping the future.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Project Manager will lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate customers, government stakeholders, industry partners, and suppliers to deliver strategic space programs and sovereign capability development initiatives.
The role requires strong project management expertise combined with an understanding of space systems, satellite programs, systems engineering, and defense acquisition environments. The successful candidate will be accountable for program planning, execution, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and customer satisfaction throughout the program lifecycle.
This is a leadership role requiring exceptional stakeholder management skills, with responsibility for managing complex customer relationships, aligning diverse stakeholder interests, and ensuring successful delivery of high-value national space programs.
Program Delivery & Governance
- Lead end-to-end delivery of space programs from initiation through acceptance and operational handover.
- Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource forecasts.
- Ensure program delivery meets agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality, and contractual requirements.
- Establish effective project governance structures, reporting frameworks, and decision-making processes.
- Monitor program performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Manage project risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and change control processes.
Stakeholder & Customer Management
- Serve as the primary interface between customers, government stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Build and maintain strong relationships across complex stakeholder environments, ensuring alignment of technical, operational, commercial, and strategic objectives.
- Manage customer expectations and provide regular communication on program status, risks, milestones, and key decisions.
- Lead executive reviews, steering committees, governance boards, and customer engagement activities.
- Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and program transition activities.
Technical & Delivery Oversight
- Coordinate engineering, systems engineering, mission operations, supply chain, quality, and commercial teams throughout program execution.
- Ensure effective management of requirements, interfaces, verification, validation, integration, testing, and acceptance activities.
- Oversee readiness reviews and transition into operational service.
- Coordinate activities across satellite, payload, ground segment, and external partner workstreams where applicable.
Technology Transfer & Capability Development
- Manage Technology Transfer (ToT) and Transfer of Knowledge (ToK) activities to support sovereign capability development objectives.
- Coordinate training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing activities with international partners and suppliers.
- Track contractual ToT and ToK commitments, ensuring successful execution and measurable outcomes.
- Support the development of sustainable in-country technical and operational capabilities.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 8 years of experience managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, or space-related programs.
- Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale technical programs involving multiple stakeholders, suppliers, and engineering disciplines.
- Experience managing project schedules, budgets, risks, resources, and contractual deliverables.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering processes, including requirements management, verification, validation, and configuration management.
- Proven experience managing customer-facing programs and executive-level stakeholder engagement.
- Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to operate effectively within complex and high-visibility program environments.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Direct experience managing Electro-Optical (EO) satellite programs.
- Direct experience managing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite programs.
- Experience managing Earth Observation, remote sensing, GEOINT, ISR, or related space system programs.
- Experience managing satellite, payload, ground segment, mission operations, or integrated space system projects.
- Experience managing Technology Transfer (ToT), Transfer of Knowledge (ToK), training, or capability development programs.
- Experience working with international space partners, system integrators, and technology providers.
- Experience delivering programs for government, defense, intelligence, or sovereign customers.
- PMP®, PgMP®, PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent project management certification.
- Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems, Systems Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Understanding of satellite mission lifecycles, spacecraft development, system integration, and operational deployment.
- Knowledge of GEOINT, ISR, Earth Observation, and national security space applications.
- Familiarity with UAE government procurement processes and strategic national programs.
- Knowledge of the UAE space and defense ecosystem, including key government entities, industry stakeholders, and regulatory frameworks.
- Established professional network within the UAE space and defense sectors is advantageous.
WHY CHOOSE EDGE
Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.
At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.
Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.
CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.
Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.
EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.
Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.